A cluttered closet can make getting dressed a frustrating experience. Whether it is full of clothes that no longer fit, are out of season, or just aren’t your style, organizing your bedroom’s closet can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to organize your closet, with seven easy tips!
Remove Everything from Your Closet
The best way to organize your closet begins with starting fresh and creating a clean slate. Clear a space in your room so you have an area for the decluttering process. Take every item out of your closet, including clothes, shoes, accessories, and any storage containers. This step also ensures that no hidden items, like long-forgotten clothing or accessories, get overlooked in the decluttering process.
Make Keep, Throw Away, & Donation Piles
As you sort through your belongings, divide them into three distinct piles: keep, throw away, and donate. The keep pile should only include items you’ve worn in the past year, fit well, and match your current style. Items that are stained, torn, or beyond repair will definitely belong in the throw-away pile. For gently used items you no longer need, create a donation pile for local charities, friends, or family. This method will not only declutter your closet, but also gives your unused items a chance to be upcycled.
Sort Clothes, Shoes, & Accessories
Once you’ve divided items into their respective piles, organize your keep pile into categories. Separate clothes into groups such as pants, dresses, tops, and outerwear, and gather shoes and accessories like belts, scarves, jewelry, and bags into their own sections. This step makes it easier to see what you have and ensures that similar items are stored together. Proper categorization of items also makes it easier to put things back in your closet. Organizing clothes allows you to spot any duplicates or gaps in your wardrobe so you don’t continue to buy things you don’t need in the future. It also gives you a clearer picture of how much space each clothing category will require, which is helpful for planning your closet layout.
Clean Surfaces & Floors
With your closet emptied, it’s the perfect opportunity to give it a thorough, deep-cleaning to create a fresh space for your belongings. Just like cleaning your room, you’ll want to start by wiping down surfaces, including shelves, walls, and hanging rods, using a damp towel or a microfiber cloth with a gentle cleaning product to wipe up lint, dust, and grime. Remember to get corners, edges, and crevices where lint and dust can accumulate. Once the shelves and walls are spotless, move on to the floor. Vacuum carpets or sweep and mop hardwood or tile floors to remove dirt and debris. An empty closet gives you the opportunity to thoroughly clean areas that often go neglected, such as corners, shelves, and baseboards, which may have dust, dirt, or even misplaced items. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your closet and you’re sensitive to dust, consider wearing a mask to reduce irritation.
Maximize Closet Space
Take advantage of every inch of your closet and get creative with closet storage solutions! Install hooks on walls or the back of the door for hanging scarves, hats, belts, or accessories to make use of otherwise wasted space. Organize closet shelves with shelf dividers to stack folded clothes neatly and prevent them from toppling over. If you’re short on space, store off-season clothes in plastic bins or vacuum-sealed bags, and keep them in your DIY under-bed storage, a separate room, or winter storage unit to free up your main closet for everyday essentials.
Put Your Clothes in Their New Place
After you have cleaned and organized your closet space, it’s time to place everything in their designated spots. Try different clothes organizing methods like rolling up t-shirts or popular techniques like the KonMari method. Create a cohesive look in your closet with matching hangers. Consider ordering clothes by category or color to make finding articles easier. Fold sweaters and other bulkier pieces into shelves or drawers. Arrange shoes in racks or containers. Place frequently used items within easy reach and less used pieces in higher or harder-to-access areas. With everything in its place, your closet will feel refreshed and ready to use!
Maintain New Organization System
You worked so hard to organize your closet—make sure it’s worth it! Simple daily habits like always putting items back where they belong can prevent clutter from piling up. A weekly pick-up of anything out of place and returning it to its designated spot can help maintain order in your closet and prepare you for a new week. Follow the one in, one out rule to avoid overcrowding—whenever you bring in something new, donate or repurpose an old item—or consider other decluttering methods. Try to completely empty out your closet at least twice a year to vacuum, dust, and otherwise clean this space to maintain an organized, tidy bedroom closet!
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